Sat 31 Dec 2022 - 6:30PM
MATCH REPORT: PANTHERS 6-4 BLAZE
Brett Welychka scored a hat-trick as The Nottingham Panthers came from 4-1 down to beat Coventry Blaze 6-4 at the Motorpoint Arena in the Elite League.
Jack Berry got the start between the pipes with Matty Bloor as back-up, but Duggie Lagrone and Craig Moore remained out of the line-up because of injury.
Welychka on target but teams level at first intermission
Panthers started strongly with David Levin creating a chance for Tanner Sorenson at the backdoor inside the first minute, before Berry made superb stops in quick succession from Garrett Johnston and Nathan Ripley at the other end.
Good work from Jeremy Welsh and Adam Brady set-up Brett Welychka who rounded Paavo Hosla to give Panthers the lead (8:28).
But the Blaze hit back as Ross Venus stepped out from behind the net and slid the puck in at the near-post via a deflection (12:00).
Six goals in dramatic second period as Panthers come from 4-1 down
The visitors scored twice in 87 seconds to take a two-goal lead, as Marly Quince fired past Berry with the aid of the pipes (23:30) and Kim Tallberg belted in a one-timer from the right circle (24:57).
JD Dudek slotted home Coventry's fourth after a turnover (27:55), before Panthers hit back 31 seconds later as Welychka reacted first to a loose puck in the slot (28:26).
The goal sparked Panthers into life and Stephen Anderson slotted home a rebound (34:45) and Craig Puffer fired top-shelf at the backdoor for the equaliser (37:34) moments after Hosla had made a wonder save from Mike Hammond.
Welychka completes hat-trick
Panthers went ahead through Luke Ferrara's blast from right point on the powerplay (46:33), seconds after Berry had denied Mitch Cook on a short-handed breakaway.
Colton Yellow Horn hit the post on the powerplay before Welychka completed his treble with a shot from his own zone into an empty net after Holsa had been lifted for the extra skater (58:23).
Click here to view a full game photo gallery from tonight from Panthers Images.
Blaze and Giants on-the-road before Guildford at home next Saturday
Panthers and the Blaze go head-to-head again on Monday at the Skydome in Coventry (5:30pm) in the Viaplay Elite League.
Nottingham then make the trip to Northern Ireland to face Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup quarter-final second leg (7pm face-off), leading 3-2 from the first leg earlier this month.
And then Panthers return home next Saturday 7th January to host Guildford Flames in the Elite League and it's Superhero Night.
Join us at the Motorpoint Arena (7pm face-off) and come dressed as your favourite superhero.